]]>Washington, D.C.—The Embassy Suites at the Chevy Chase Pavilion is ready for its close-up. On Oct. 30, the Friendship Heights hotel, owned by Clarion Partners, a leading real estate investment manager, and managed by Destination Hospitality Management, announced the completion of the multi-million dollar property renovation.

The renovation of the 198, two-room suite property includes a newly designed open entrance, sweeping lobby, expanded restaurant and lounge, new bar, upgraded suites, renewed health club, and enlarged public areas – all offering an entirely new guest stay experience. The completion of the Embassy Suites renovation concludes a total repositioning of Chevy Chase Pavilion by Clarion Partners.

The Embassy Suites’ dining and bar areas underwent a substantial transformation. The hotel launched an original drinking and dining concept that has been expanded beyond hotel guests to the public. Named after the hotel’s former sous chef Wilfredo Benavides, who passed away last year after battling Lou Gehrig’s disease, Willie’s Bar is a brand new 2,000-square-foot, 22-seat bar featuring more than 100 spirits, wines, local draft and bottled beers, and a newly crafted small-plates menu. An additional 50 seats, also featuring Willie’s signature cocktails and menu selections, are situated in the lounge area directly off the bar. In special remembrance and honor of Chef Willie, one percent of all bar proceeds from Willie’s Bar will go to the ALS Association – an American nonprofit organization that raises money for research and patient services related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Hotel guests are greeted with a newly designed entrance and open lobby that is double its former size. The modernized lobby area features five new seating areas with light low-profile furnishings, a video lounge, an enclosed gas fireplace, and large windows with views of the Friendship Heights neighborhood. The District Boardroom – a new liquid meeting space that anchors the main lobby area with a storefront glass wall, is tailored for impromptu business meetings. A water wall, a core element of the Embassy Suites brand, is located directly behind the reception desk with a new wood, steel, and glass stairway as a defining feature of the hotel lobby.

The Embassy Suites Chevy Chase renovation includes an overhaul of all guest suites, which range in size from 600-800 square feet. The new design presents an upscale “at-home” residential feel, incorporating the use of calm lighting, natural texture, and an earth tone color scheme. The hotel also newly introduced dark chocolate wood exterior doors, modern furnishings with subtle Washington-themed décor punctuated throughout the living spaces, and hardwood flooring. In partnership with the Embassy Suites Brand, two new premium floors feature suites with 55” LG HD televisions, complimentary high-speed Internet service, iHome docks, Keurig coffee makers, and access to the floor’s exclusive refreshment center.

“Embassy Suites Chevy Chase provides a refreshed urban atmosphere, offering visitors a luxurious retreat with a delicious food and beverage option and convenient access to unmatched shopping, entertainment and dining in the national capital region,” said Jeff Brainard, area general manager. “We’re delighted with the new, sophisticated feel and are eager to showcase our upgraded setting.”

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/embassy-suites-unveils-multi-million-dollar-renovation/feed/0Choice to Introduce Clarion and Quality Brands in Chinahttp://lodgingmagazine.com/choice-to-introduce-clarion-and-quality-brands-in-china/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/choice-to-introduce-clarion-and-quality-brands-in-china/#respondTue, 22 Apr 2014 14:00:34 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=11133ROCKVILLE, Md.—Choice Hotels International has signed a development agreement for its Quality Hotel and Clarion Hotel brands with Boli Hotel Management Company Ltd. The deal marks the launch of the first Clarion and Quality Hotels in China, and the continual expansion of its international business. The development will begin in Hangzhou, one of China’s most popular tourist destinations, with plans to expand across the region. Known for its historic relics and natural beauty, Hangzhou provides ...

]]>ROCKVILLE, Md.—Choice Hotels International has signed a development agreement for its Quality Hotel and Clarion Hotel brands with Boli Hotel Management Company Ltd. The deal marks the launch of the first Clarion and Quality Hotels in China, and the continual expansion of its international business.

The development will begin in Hangzhou, one of China’s most popular tourist destinations, with plans to expand across the region. Known for its historic relics and natural beauty, Hangzhou provides a scenic backdrop for the Choice Hotels portfolio.

“With several Comfort Inn hotels already located in China and performing successfully, it is a natural step to introduce other brands within the Choice Hotels portfolio to the region,” said Mark Pearce, senior vice president of Choice Hotels’ international division. “Our partnership with Boli Hotel Management Company is a significant milestone not only because it marks the launch of our development efforts for Clarion and Quality hotels in China, but because it represents the opportunity for local developers to partner with an international hotel company.

“Global tourism is on the rise and there is substantial opportunity for our portfolio of hotels to expand internationally,” Pearce continued. “We are excited to introduce attractive and affordable hotels to the China market, and eagerly anticipate our growth in the region over the next few years.”

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/choice-to-introduce-clarion-and-quality-brands-in-china/feed/0Choice Builds Up European Footprinthttp://lodgingmagazine.com/choice-builds-out-european-footprint/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/choice-builds-out-european-footprint/#respondTue, 04 Mar 2014 15:54:34 +0000http://lodgingmagazine.com/?p=9885Choice Hotels has accelerated it’s European expansion by opening 11 properties in the England, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy since October 2013. The five new properties in England include a Quality Hotel in Birmingham and one in Wolverhampton, a Comfort Inn located in London’s Belgravia area, a Clarion Collection Hotel in Exeter and one in Richmond Gate, and a Comfort Inn in Manchester, the first Choice property in the city. In France, three new properties ...

]]>Choice Hotels has accelerated it’s European expansion by opening 11 properties in the England, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy since October 2013. The five new properties in England include a Quality Hotel in Birmingham and one in Wolverhampton, a Comfort Inn located in London’s Belgravia area, a Clarion Collection Hotel in Exeter and one in Richmond Gate, and a Comfort Inn in Manchester, the first Choice property in the city. In France, three new properties include the Quality Hotel du Golf Montpellier Juvignac, the 66-room Quality Hotel Dunkerque and Comfort Hotel Paris Est Saint-Maur, which is 30 minutes from downtown. In Germany, the Comfort Hotel Friedrichshafen is now the 35th hotel in the country. And in Italy, a 100-room Quality Hotel will call Rome home. In a statement, Duncan Berry, Chief Executive for Choice Hotels Europe, said, “We believe Europe will be a key growth region for us and are delighted to welcome these hotels to our expanding network of European properties.” Read more at Travel Weekly.

]]>http://lodgingmagazine.com/choice-builds-out-european-footprint/feed/0Simpler Tastehttp://lodgingmagazine.com/simpler-taste/
http://lodgingmagazine.com/simpler-taste/#respondWed, 08 Aug 2012 14:32:55 +0000http://e8dd4cbd-00dd-4d50-b1af-40ec08da9d75At the Clarion Waterford Inn & Conference Center in Elmhurst, Ill., guests of the Choice Hotels branded property are getting a new taste of the possible future of midscale food and beverage service. Bistro C is a new beta test concept Choice is rolling out as part of its overall Clarion brand repositioning strategy. Dan Sweiger, brand leader for Clarion, says the new concept is something that the company believes could turn into a game ...

]]>At the Clarion Waterford Inn & Conference Center in Elmhurst, Ill., guests of the Choice Hotels branded property are getting a new taste of the possible future of midscale food and beverage service. Bistro C is a new beta test concept Choice is rolling out as part of its overall Clarion brand repositioning strategy.

Dan Sweiger, brand leader for Clarion, says the new concept is something that the company believes could turn into a game changer for the midscale hotel market. It is specifically designed to address the challenges midscale hotels face when it comes to food and beverage, especially during hotel conversions.

“When we were looking at Clarion and developing a long-term strategy, we saw a trend that’s been going on for at least seven or eight years. Limited-service and full-service hotels seem to be tending to the same place, meaning limited-service keeps adding more and more to its F&B offerings while full-service seems to keep offering less and less,” Sweiger says. “We looked at it as they are all heading for the same place but no one has a solution for that middle ground.”

That’s the area where Bistro C is aimed at serving. Bistro C employs one multi-use room, a 14-by-18-foot kitchen—literally converted from a closet space—and two hourly employees to deliver hot breakfast, lunch, dinner, carryout, retail, lounge, and basic catering. Everything is done in one place.

“We wanted something that was made specifically for midscale hotel operators, particularly those who are converting flags,” Sweiger says. It, of course, is a way to help attract owners and developers to the Clarion brand. “It’s a little crazy, but we are using food and beverage to attract people.

“But, it’s a solution built first for the needs of the operator to make it simple to put up good food with the least amount of capital investment and labor investment, as well as the highest degree of consistency,” he continues, “and, do that in a way that meets the basic requirements of corporate travelers and groups.”

“The concept is designed to be efficient,” adds F&B Director Tom Prykanowski. “It’s about following a program and a system rather than opening a restaurant.”

The beta test is currently only at the Elmhurst property and has been operating since April. While exact numbers aren’t yet available, Swieger says there have already been positive results and feedback. “The pro forma on the return on investment is 18 months. Everything I’m hearing anecdotally from the hotel says that we are on track to smash that,” he says.